Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
Who Would Like This Book:
If you love food, cooking, or just Anthony Bourdain’s brutally honest style, this book is for you. It’s a wild ride through the highs and lows of chef life, peppered with razor-sharp wit, reflective essays, deep dives into the restaurant industry, and Bourdain’s signature no-nonsense attitude. Fans of Kitchen Confidential will appreciate this more mature, introspective Bourdain, offering stories from behind the scenes, musings on chef culture, and hard-earned wisdom. Perfect for foodies, industry insiders, and anyone who enjoys unapologetically raw storytelling with a gourmet flair.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This isn’t for the faint of heart. If you shy away from strong language, controversial opinions, or outspoken personalities, you might find Bourdain’s approach too intense or abrasive. Some readers feel he can be overly harsh on fellow chefs, and the opening scenes or certain essays can be polarizing. If you’re expecting a fluffy food memoir or dislike the idea of a non-linear collection of essays, this might not be your cup of tea.
About:
Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook is a collection of essays by Anthony Bourdain. The book explores the food industry through Bourdain's unique perspective. Readers are taken on a journey filled with gritty honesty, touching on personal anecdotes, restaurant culture, and critiques of celebrity chefs and food media. Bourdain's writing style is direct and engaging, striking a balance between humor and insightful commentary, often delving into the ethics of cooking and the complexities of the culinary world.
The chapters cover a wide range of topics, from Bourdain’s own experiences in the restaurant business to reflections on his personal life and critiques of famous chefs like Emeril and Gordon Ramsay. His prose is both entertaining and thought-provoking, blending vivid descriptions with self-deprecation. Although some parts may leave readers laughing or shocked, the depth of his passion for food and the culinary arts makes the book compelling, offering a raw but ultimately affectionate view of the food industry.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include strong language, discussions of drug and alcohol use, and themes of mental health struggles.
From The Publisher:
The instant New York Times bestseller and follow-up to Anthony Bourdain's blockbuster classic on the cooking life, Kitchen Confidential
Medium Raw marks the return of the inimitable Anthony Bourdain, author of the blockbuster bestseller Kitchen Confidential and three-time Emmy Award-nominated host of No Reservations on TV's Travel Channel. Bourdain calls his book, "A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook," and he is at his entertaining best as he takes aim at some of the biggest names in the foodie world, including David Chang, Alice Waters, the Top Chef winners and losers, and many more. If Hunter S. Thompson had written a book about the restaurant business, it could have been Medium Raw.
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2 comment(s)
It was really good. Ironically introspective considering he just passed away. He will always be a rock star and the king of food porn to me.
Eh, not sure what I expected from this book but, I don’t think I got it. Maybe I’ll just watch old “no reservations” episodes instead.
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